After announcing that demand for its HP Slate had "exceeded expectations," it has now leaked out that HP only planned to build 5,000 and ended up having to retool to build a total of 9,000 of them.

Compared to the average 46,555 iPads Apple sold per day over the last quarter (during constrained supplies), a total run of 9,000 isn't exactly the kind of demand tablet observers would describe as "exceeding expectations," instead positioning the Slate PC in the same dismal category of failure trailblazed by Microsoft's Zune and KIN phone.

Jointly unveiled by Microsoft and HP at an event just weeks before Apple first debuted the iPad, the HP Slate was supposed to herald a new generation of Microsoft Tablet PCs running Windows 7 under the new moniker "Slate PC," hopefully cutting the connection with the past decade of generations of failed Tablet-sized devices running either Windows CE or the full desktop version of Windows.

Instead, Apple's release of the iPad quenched any enthusiasm for "Slate PCs," sending HP back to the drawing board while other Windows PC makers either abandoned their slate offerings or looked into alternative platforms (including Google's competing Chrome OS and Android OS). HP itself purchased Palm, announcing plans to produce WebOS-based devices over the next year.

Recasting failure as an extraordinary surprise of sorts

This summer however, HP announced it would be offering its existing HP Slate 500 directly to business customers, skipping the consumer market until it could deliver a WebOS offering. It didn't announce that it only planned to build 5,000 of the Slate PC devices.

This weekend however, tech blog Engadget reported that a "trusted tipster" told it that HP "only ever planned a limited production run of 5,000 units" and "apparently had to re-hire production workers just to get the presses printing out tablets again, and are presently placating angry customers by offering them over $100 off their $800 purchase as apology."

On its website, HP euphemistically categorized the tiny production run and its incurring delay by saying, "due to extraordinary demand, the HP slate is on backorder. Orders are expected to ship in 6 weeks. Order now to reserve your place in the queue."

Waiting for an avalanche of iPad competitors

The potential for alternative tablet-shaped products to compete with Apple's iPad has generated intense interest in the industry, after Apple knocked the wind out of the fragile segment and subsequently brought its iPad to market rapidly before Microsoft Slate PCs, WebOS devices, Android slates, and RIM's promised QNX-based PlayBook could arrive.

The segment shattering introduction of the iPad left Apple with a 95 percent share of the tablet market despite the company's difficulties in building enough to satiate demand. Constrained supplies caused Apple to ship fewer iPads than many analysts expected in the past quarter, but the company has already managed to sell 7.5 million devices and create a catalog of over 30,000 iOS apps customized for the iPad by the end of its second quarter of sales.

Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs told analysts during the company's most recent quarterly earnings call that the "avalanche of tablets" that many are expecting is really just a "a handful of credible entrants," and said that the 7 inch screens they were using would result in products that are dead on arrival.

Steve Jobs dismisses the 7 inch tablet

Jobs said that other manufacturers were only using 7 inch screens (compared to the iPad's nearly 10 inch screen) because they lacked Apple's economies of scale, and added that a 7 inch screen is actually only 45% as large as the iPads, insisting that "this size isn't sufficient to create great tablet apps."

A 7 inch screen is "meaningless unless your tablet also includes sandpaper, so that the user can sand down their fingers to around one quarter of their present size," Jobs said. He added that Apple has done extensive research on touchscreen interfaces and what works best for users, which is how it arrived at a 9.7 inch display for the iPad.

Noting that all tablet users already have a mobile smartphone, Jobs indicated that tablets need to be big enough to be differentiated from mobile devices in terms of features. "No tablet can compete with mobility of a smartphone. Pocket size tablets are tweeners," Jobs said; too big for a smartphone and not big enough to work well as a tablet.

Jobs also took a direct shot at Android-based tablets, explaining that "nearly all of these tablets use Android. But even Google is saying don't use Froyo [the current release of Android OS], and instead to wait to use next years' version. What does it mean when a software maker says not to use their release and you use it anyway?

RIM's iPad umbrage

RIM co chief executive Jim Balsillie fired back at Jobs's comments, defending his company's upcoming 7 inch PlayBook tablet without directly countering anything Jobs said, and instead simply dismissing his comments by saying that customers are "getting tired of being told what to think by Apple."

"We know that 7 inch tablets will actually be a big portion of the market and we know that Adobe Flash support actually matters to customers who want a real web experience," Balsillie added.

While critics initially complained that the iPad was just a "big iPod touch," dismissing Jobs' presentation of the iPad occupying a new market segment between full sized notebooks and pocket-sized mobile devices, a variety of mini tablets and jumbo phones are now being welcomed as ostensibly filling an infinite spectrum of niches between standard-sized smartphones and the iPad.

The five inch Dell Streak and 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab have both hit the market with excitement that has quickly turned to anticipation of the next model expected to arrive, much like the series of devices held up as iPod-killers since 2002, and the onslaught of phones designated at iPhone-killers since 2007.

When "double anticipated volume" is 9,000 units of a product that is supposed to complete with a product which has been purchased by the millions, that tells me you never had much faith in your product to begin with.

If I were a HP stockholder, I'd be pretty ticked off that lots of R&D and marketing money was spent on a product that wasn't expected to be successful.

How low will HP go!
OMFG! That is just classless!
I read the specs for that "SLATE" and was not impressed! It's nothing but a keyboardless netbook. Period.
The ipad is a content consumption device but many in the press have misconstrued the purpose of the ipad so they could set up other competing product along side it in what has become a hunt for the unicorn.
Look at that Playbook(vaporware!) by RIM. LOL!
Are we to believe that RIM, in just 4 months, will all of a sudden manufacture, along with credible software, 'THE BUSINESS TABLET" that apparently the world has been longing for?
GTFOOH!

Before one gets too worked up about the story, I would first be a little skeptical about the 5,000 to 9,000 unit builds. These numbers from a leaked document might be true, but I wouldn't stake any money on it.

On the plus side, however, we do have some indication how much effort it requires for any company, even an HP, to build or contract to build factories to produce the components and assemble them and deliver them. Apple's logistical expertise is top of class and HP would need much time to compete just on those terms, regardless of how "magical" their product might be.

And the vicious cycle continues. HP takes forever to release the Slate so many businesses go for what is available. And now that they can't meet demand, a fair portion of the companies that where holding out could decide to again go with what is available.

The five inch Dell Streak and 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab have both hit the market with excitement that has quickly turned to anticipation of the next model expected to arrive, much like the series of devices held up as iPod-killers since 2002, and the onslaught of phones designated at iPhone-killers since 2007.

Apple fanboyism strikes again, and who is a greater fanboy than Daniel?

Oh, man, I love you Daniel, but really, how on earth do you know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab was "quickly turned to anticipation of the next model"? Do you have the numbers that they are selling? FYI, they are already selling here in Portugal and I am still waiting for an iPad. Go figure...

As your financial adviser, I recommend you buy these slate pads and save them in a closet. They are sure to rise in value and will become very collectible someday and could pay for a son's or daughter's college education.
Or not.

Apple should release a truly mobile Mac. As light and small as possible. Ideally, 400 to 600 g and pocketable (or so). Whatever form factor (tablet, slider or clamshell). The Mac in your pocket (or purse or bag). Always.

I'm betting the first order of 5,000 was meant for HP. After which, MS decided to order 4,000.

What I want to know is, where are the tens of thousands of bloggers, podcasters, and tech forum commenters who couldn't wait to get their hands on one of these? You know, all those people who thought this made a whole lot more sense than the iPad? It seems they abandoned HP at the cash register.

Apple has no competition. Every commercial product which competes directly with an Apple product gives the distinct impression that, Where it is original, it is not good, and where it is good, it...

Apple should release a truly mobile Mac. As light and small as possible. Ideally, 400 to 600 g and pocketable (or so). Whatever form factor (tablet, slider or clamshell). The Mac in your pocket (or purse or bag). Always.

Why is it that HP fails to make a competitive product, yet, you think Apple should change their strategy? Weird...

Apple has no competition. Every commercial product which competes directly with an Apple product gives the distinct impression that, Where it is original, it is not good, and where it is good, it...

I read the specs for that "SLATE" and was not impressed! It's nothing but a keyboardless netbook. Period.

I dunno. Uncle Ballmer seemed to be pretty jazzed up about them this past January. He was even wearing a sweater while he posed next to the HP Slate and some other alleged "slate PCs". Nothing says "Microsoft is consumer friendly" than Steve Ballmer wearing a sweater.

Think I'm kidding? Ever see The Pirates of Silicon Valley? Bill Gates was told to put a sweater on to appear more accessible for a TV commerical. Hell, you could put a sweater on Mark Zuckerberg and the haters would stop hating.

An underpowered, amputated netbook running Windows 7 is exactly what business users have been waiting for. That's why they haven't bought Tablet PCs and UMPCs by the boatload in decades past.

He seemed enthused about them again at this year's D8 Conference while Ray Ozzie looked at him with his "you did not just say that" look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccherry

Are we to believe that RIM, in just 4 months, will all of a sudden manufacture, along with credible software, 'THE BUSINESS TABLET" that apparently the world has been longing for?

No, but RIM has to try. Their strategy is not a bad one: rush an iPad clone to market before the avalanche of Android tablets sucks all of the air out of the market (untapped by iPad). Desperation for RIM? Absolutely. But what are they going to do? Fix the Torch?

Why is it that HP fails to make a competitive product, yet, you think Apple should change their strategy? Weird...

Spot on.

Also, what about all those folks who were mad, just mad, that Apple would underestimate demand of the iPad (which broke all previous records) and was taking upto 1 month to deliver them, but are stunningly quiet when HP is taking 6 weeks to deliver 9000 units!

Before one gets too worked up about the story, I would first be a little skeptical about the 5,000 to 9,000 unit builds. These numbers from a leaked document might be true, but I wouldn't stake any money on it.

Hence Rumour Site

McD

Why does somebody ask me a question, I can never understand, I can never provide the answer, but believe I can.

Its hard to say that having a USB or HDMI port is a bad thing and while I like having them the Slate was a bad idea from the start. I have an HDMI out on my Evo and it would be nice to have one on my iPad.

I was actually surprised they decided to even release the Slate I thought the project got killed a long time ago.

This just prove that a long list of hardware spec sheet is not a feature anymore and this is a threat most gadget makers can't seem to notice. However, I think HP start to realize this and this is why they bought Palm, for the software.

Apple fanboyism strikes again, and who is a greater fanboy than Daniel?

Oh, man, I love you Daniel, but really, how on earth do you know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab was "quickly turned to anticipation of the next model"? Do you have the numbers that they are selling? FYI, they are already selling here in Portugal and I am still waiting for an iPad. Go figure...

Thanks for pointing out the reckless 'fanboyism' of this site. Its nice to come here for rumors, but reading the 'facts' and 'reporting' from Daniel makes me sick a bit.

"due to extraordinary demand, the HP slate is on backorder. Orders are expected to ship in 6 weeks."

Gee. Wait six weeks for a knockoff that costs more than the original, or buy the real thing which is cheaper, drawing raves, and available right now.

What to do, what to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen Meaney

Thanks for pointing out the reckless 'fanboyism' of this site. Its nice to come here for rumors, but reading the 'facts' and 'reporting' from Daniel makes me sick a bit.

The most reckless 'fanboyism' on this site inevitably comes from the haters who show up like clockwork, screaming "iSheep". They're so predictable you'd think they were a bunch of... droids. I suppose you could point out that their own commercials show them being happily reduced to mindless, humorless automations, but of course the irony would be lost on them.

Before one gets too worked up about the story, I would first be a little skeptical about the 5,000 to 9,000 unit builds. These numbers from a leaked document might be true, but I wouldn't stake any money on it.

On the plus side, however, we do have some indication how much effort it requires for any company, even an HP, to build or contract to build factories to produce the components and assemble them and deliver them. Apple's logistical expertise is top of class and HP would need much time to compete just on those terms, regardless of how "magical" their product might be.

Nonetheless, skepticism of the 5,000 unit numbers is still in order.

I'd be more than skeptical. I'd be willing to bet that it's wrong.

5,000 units at $800 is only $4 M - and that even assumes that the retailer doesn't keep any of the selling price.

There's no way HP would develop a product for $4 M. Even if MS did all the software work, the tooling costs, marketing cost, testing costs, and support costs alone would more than eat up that much money.

"I'm way over my head when it comes to technical issues like this"Gatorguy 5/31/13

5,000 units at $800 is only $4 M - and that even assumes that the retailer doesn't keep any of the selling price.

There's no way HP would develop a product for $4 M. Even if MS did all the software work, the tooling costs, marketing cost, testing costs, and support costs alone would more than eat up that much money.

I, too, would be more skeptical, except for two things:

1. It is clear that HP didn't put much into product development, user interface, design, testing, marketing, or anything else.

2. Considering how badly they are handling the Pre 2 launch, no amount of wasteful incompetence is out of the question for HP.

Apple has no competition. Every commercial product which competes directly with an Apple product gives the distinct impression that, Where it is original, it is not good, and where it is good, it...

When "double anticipated volume" is 9,000 units of a product that is supposed to complete with a product which has been purchased by the millions, that tells me you never had much faith in your product to begin with.

If I were a HP stockholder, I'd be pretty ticked off that lots of R&D and marketing money was spent on a product that wasn't expected to be successful.

I think that HP released this because of a commitment to MS.

Likely, they will release a similar product with ARM CPU and WebOS.

They can wait, watch and possibly "do it right" -- if 7-inchers tube, they could release a larger form factor.

Like Apple, HP will have control of the hardware and a powerful, proven OS and UI.

RIMM has an unfamiliar (to them) OS recently repurposed, and (IMO) a disaster in waiting as a UI. Neither Adobe or RIMM has a [positive] track record in multitouch interfaces.

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